Highlights
As of 10 March, an estimated 3,586 individuals have arrived in Niger since the start of the military intervention in Mali. Given that the Level 2 Registration for the refugees in Agando and Chinwaren (in Tillia region) has yet to take place, and that no departures were reported, the planning figure in Niger remains 50,000 individuals.
From 7 to 13 February, a total of 1,741 refugees (425 households) were relocated from Banibangou to Mangaizé camp. Relocated children will be integrated into the existing schools in the camp.
On 9 February, there was a measles outbreak in Mangaizé with 33 cases reported. 32 of them were among refugees including 24 children under 15 years or less. An immunization campaign targeting unvaccinated children from 6 months to 14 years has been launched by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with partners responsible for health activities in the camp.
From 25 March until 2 April, a joint survey is being undertaken by UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF in the camps to evaluate the current acute malnutrition rate among children 6 to 59 months. Immunization coverage against measles among children 9-59 months will also be determined in the 3 official refugee camps. This survey will be conducted using the SMART methodology.
As of 10 March, 54,818 children under-five have been admitted to therapeutic feeding centres for severe acute malnutrition (SAM), while another 79,329 have been receiving treatment for moderate acute malnutrition (MAM).
WFP, UNICEF and UNHCR agreed to extend the wet feeding programme in the camps for an additional two-month period (up until May 2013). This operation targeted 5,963 refugees through the month of February. Results of a MUAC survey among children aged 6-59 months are encouraging and show a positive impact on children’s nutritional status.
The lack of emergency funding could jeopardize the 2013-2014 school year for all refugee children in Niger. An estimated US$2.5 million are urgently required to ensure uninterrupted emergency education.
Despite the fact that protection issues are on the rise in camps, funding is not forthcoming. Gender-Based Violence, Children Associated with Armed Forces and other armed Groups, Separated and Unaccompanied Children, psychosocial distress affecting children remain threats to their well-being that need to be addressed through prevention, tracing and/or treatment.
To ensure that host communities have equitable access to WASH facilities and are not deprived of their rights, UNICEF is advocating to immediately mobilize US$2.5 million for this sector.
